YOUR HEALTH - YOUR HEART

In spite of all the fuss over heart disease - all of the statin drugs and low-fat diets and cholesterol testing - none of it seems to be making much of a difference in cardiovascular disease. You don't need a medical degree to see that the so-called "solutions" offered by conventional medical treatment sponsored by big pharmaceutical companies are far from beneficial.

DID YOU KNOW?

In a huge, 6-year study of 34,000 participants, shocked researchers found that men who drank 5 or more glasses of water daily had up to 51 percent fewer fatal heart attacks than those who drank less than 2 glasses.

Women water-drinkers had up to 35 percent fewer.

♥ Complementary & Alternative Medical Treatment: Alternative Medical treatment generically refers to any treatment that is different than the most commonly used treatment for an illness. Because interventional treatments such as bypass surgery, angioplasty and the insertion of stents have become the most popular forms of treatment for coronary artery disease (but certainly not the only or even the best form of treatment), medical treatment of coronary artery disease with drugs is often incorrectly referred to as alternative medical therapy. In fact, the most common form of treatment for coronary artery disease throughout the world is medical therapy with modern drugs. Only in the United States where there is fee for service health care delivery has bypass surgery and angioplasty become more popular. Thus medical therapy with modern drugs is simply another accepted way of treating heart disease, but because it is not as economically rewarding to the doctor, medical clinic or hospital, it is not the first form of treatment recommended. Alternative treatment for heart disease then can be defined as forms of treatment other than conventional medical treatment, bypass surgery and angioplasty for coronary artery disease. These would include Homeopathy, Phytotherapy - herbs, Naturopathy, chelation therapy, food supplements, antioxidants, vitamins, meditation, enhanced counter pulsation and acupuncture among others.

GENERAL ARTICLES ON HEART DISEASE

Depression as a Risk Factor for Heart Disease

According to study author Heidi May of the Intermountain Medical Center in Utah, "Our data suggest that depression is an important and emerging risk factor for heart failure."

After studying over 14,000 heart patients with clogged arteries, the study found that heart failure rates skyrocketed for those with depression. Patients without depression had heart failure rates of 3.6 per 100 - but the rate for depressed patients was a staggering 16.4 percent!

Though this is the first study to draw such a link, we've known for years that depression can be as devastating physically as it is emotionally. Depression sufferers often have heart-related health issues, including a tendency for blood clots.

It seems emotional health is equally important to heart patients.

Larger Waist = Larger Chance of Death

It's common knowledge that obesity affects our bodies in many negative ways, but fat around the abdomen is even more risky and is now associated with a higher chance of death.

People with a larger waist circumference have now been associated with a greater risk of dying from any cause over a nine-year period. Previously, a larger waist was associated with diabetes type 2, inflammation, insulin resistance, abnormal cholesterol levels, and heart disease. This is because obesity, particularly in the abdominal region is associated with fat tissue in viscera, or organs in the abdomen like the heart, liver, pancreas, and stomach, which is thought to be much more dangerous than fat under the skin.

Eric J. Jacobs, Ph.D., and his colleagues at the American Cancer Society, Atlanta, studied the association between waist circumference and the risk of death on 48,500 men and 56,343 women that were 50 and older. Their deaths were tracked through the National Death Index until Dec. 31, 2006. By this time 9,315 men and 5,332 women had died.

After calculating BMI (body mass index) and other risk factors they concluded that very large waists (47 inches in men and 42 inches in women) were associated with twice the risk of death across all categories of BMI. It was found that women had a slightly higher risk than men.

"The reason for the stronger association between waist circumference and mortality among women with low BMI in our study was unclear," the authors write. "Future detailed analyses of the relationship between waist circumference and visceral adipose tissue or measures of insulin resistance within categories of BMI could identify biological reasons for potential differences in the strength of the association between waist circumference and mortality."

These results could help the development of future guidelines for obesity because right now there are no guidelines on excess abdominal fat and how to get rid of it or weight loss goals for these people.

Archives of Internal Medicine, published August 9, 2010

Death Rate From Obesity Doubles

The number of lives lost to obesity more than doubled between 1993 and 2008, while the prevalence of obesity increased a whopping 89.9 percent. Researchers studied trends in obesity among U.S. adults and found the overall health burden of obesity in all gender, race and ethnic subgroups across all 50 states. "The ability to collect data at the state and local levels is essential for designing and implementing interventions, such as promoting physical activity, that target the relevant at-risk populations," Erica I. Lubetkin, M.D., M.P.H., study researcher, of The City College of New York, was quoted as saying.

From 1993 to 2008, obesity prevalence for U.S. adults increased from 14.1 percent to 26.7 percent. Black women showed the most Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) lost due to obesity. Obesity prevalence has increased over time for all 50 states, and ironically, so has obesity-related QALYs lost. "Collaborative efforts among groups at the national, state, and community levels are needed in order to establish and sustain effective programs to reduce the prevalence of obesity," Haomiao Jia, Ph.D., study researcher, of Columbia University, was quoted as saying. "Although the impact of current and future interventions on curtailing the burden of disease might not be available for a number of years, this method can provide an additional tool for the Healthy People 2020 toolbox by providing a means to measure objectives and goals."

Dr.Mogadam doesn't just theorise about heart health. His dramatic results, especially among patients labeled "high risk" by other doctors, have been extraordinary.

He publishes his groundbreaking findings in leading medical journals. His research has withstood the intense scrutiny of his peers -- collecting numerous awards for exposing outdated medical ideas and showing what should be done instead.

And he's been asked to pass on his discoveries to the next generation of doctors as a clinical associate professor of medicine at the renowned George Washington University School of Medicine.

That's why, if avoiding a heart attack or stroke is important to you, read the following.....

The 10 Biggest and Deadliest Heart Myths

Myth #1 : Heart disease and heart attacks are an inevitable part of aging.

Myth #2 : Cholesterol is the main cause of heart disease and heart attacks.

Saturated Fats Prevent Coronary Artery Disease
Controversy has surrounded the idea that saturated fats cause heart disease; however, studies indicated that diets high in these fats might actually BENEFIT postmenopausal women. Learn the truth behind the "saturated fat myth" and understand how to discern if consuming these fats is good for YOUR health.

Terror Fears Raise Heart Disease
Israeli women who have an intense fear of terrorism appear to have higher levels of a marker of blood vessel inflammation, which is linked to a potential risk of heart disease. Learn the most effective method for releasing your fears before they start taking control of your health.

Most Common Cause of Heart Attacks
There is another risk factor of heart attack that is an even stronger predictor of an upcoming event than smoking or high cholesterol: mental stress. Don't let mental stress take a toll on your health, find out my favorite method for combating stress and other negative emotions.

Exercise: The Best "Drug" You Can Give Your Heart

How Can You Treat Cancer, Diabetes and Heart Disease? Run From It!
Learn how to use exercise to improve your body function, help balance metabolic activity and significantly boost immunity, helping to prevent a host of diseases including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. And the best part is, you can get benefits in as little as 10 minutes.

More Evidence That Fish Oil Helps Heart Disease
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oils, protect against heart disease and stroke by stopping the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries. It is crucial to your health to make sure you are getting enough omega-3 fats in your diet.

Fish Oil Reduces Heart Disease: The Evidence Increases
More studies confirm the health benefits of omega-3 fats. Find out why, in terms of its potential impact on health in the Western world, the omega-3 story may someday be viewed as one of the most important in the history of modern nutritional science.

More Support for Fish Oil for Heart Disease
Further evidence has proven that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids can protect against coronary heart disease. Read how fish oil can decrease your risk of heart disease.

Not Any Old Fish Food Will Reduce Heart Attacks
The type of fish meal you consume, whether it be a fried fish sandwich or broiled fish, will affect the cardiac benefits received. Find out what you can do to ensure you receive the health benefits of fish without the health risks of mercury contamination.

Is Aspirin Really Good for Heart Disease?
An editorial states that aspirin is useful for treating a variety of illnesses including heart disease and Alzheimer's, but aspirin is not the answer for heart disease. Find out one simple thing you can do to greatly reduce your risk of heart disease.

Vitamin E May Reduce Heart Disease in Diabetics
High doses of this vitamin were shown to provide benefit to diabetic patients, not only through its well-known antioxidant properties, but also by acting as an anti-inflammatory agent as well. Just make sure that you use the correct type.

Impotence Drug May Promote Heart Attacks
A well-known impotence drug increases the blood's stickiness, which may lead to an increased risk of heart attack. I can't say the name of this drug or spam filters will block the e-mail, but find out why you should avoid it and discover some practical alternatives.

Bacterial Infections Linked to Heart Disease and Stroke
Common, chronic bacterial infections, including lung and urinary tract infections, as well as gum disease, may increase the risk of atherosclerosis, a buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries that could lead to heart attack.

Getting Tested for CRP May Save Your Life
CRP, a protein that measures inflammation, has been linked to heart disease. Find out why this protein can be an indicator of impaired heart health and learn how you can maintain a healthy CRP level.